VENKATESH Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is directed against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence rendered by the Presiding Officer, Fast Track Court at Ramanagara in S.C.No.239/2005 dated 24/25.08.2010, whereby accused Nos.1 to 3 were convicted for the offences punishable under Section 498(A) r/w Section 34 of IPC and were sentenced to imprisonment for a period of two years four months and to pay fine of Rs.4,000/- each and in default of payment of fine amount, they should undergo simple imprisonment for a period of three months. Out of the total fine amount, it was ordered to pay Rs.10,000/- to the parents of the deceased Lakshmi, namely PW.1-Thimmaiah and PW.2- Shivarudramma.

(2.) Heard the learned counsel for the appellants and learned HCGP for the State and perused the impugned judgment.

(3.) The case of the prosecution is that deceased Lakshmi daughter of PW.1- Thimmaiah and PW.2- Shivarudramma, was given in marriage to accused No.1-Venkatesh and their marriage was performed as per the customs prevailing in their society on 24.03.2002. During the marriage negotiation, the accused have demanded dowry in terms of Rs.75,000/-, gold jewellery of 175 grams and at their cost the marriage of deceased Lakshmi with accused No.1- Venkatesh was performed. The proposal relating to terms of dowry has been demanded by the parents of accused No.1-Venkatesh. Subsequent to her marriage while she was residing in the house of her husband, consisting her parents-in-law they demanded to bring additional dowry in terms of Rs.50,000/- and also gold jewellery of 102 grams. When the accused were demanding dowry from the deceased Lakshmi, that she has briefed her parents and narrated before them that her husband Venkatesh and also his parents arraigned as accused Nos.2 and 3 were giving physical as well as mental harassment to fulfill the demand of dowry as made by them.